Plumbing a Reeflo Barracuda/Hammerhead

[sbeason]

Jeremy,

I recently purchased a brand new pump(subject line) from PA. Jason asked me to get some info on how you would plumb it. I have a reef ready 210 tank with dual overflows(1" drain and 3/4" supply). The sump will be located in the basement. I figure to have about 11' vertical from the top of the return to the pump(I will be using a 100g stock rubbermaid for my sump). I will also have 8' of horizontal run of pipe once I get through the floor under my tank to both ends. A couple ball valves and a "T" right off the pump that will feed a fuge and all go up to the tank.

Let me know the pipe size for the return...2" then tee to 3/4"?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi Steve, I would recommend using 1.5" pipe coming off of the pump, all the way up to the tank. I would run that 1.5" as far as you can, then go down to the 3/4" right before entering the bulkhead to the tank, and then put a ball valve right there as well. This way you can control the amount of flow going to each side.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[ostrow]

+1. Restrict at the last possible moment!

Also, it helps to use tubing rather than rigid or spaflex as much as possible. Definitely out of the sump bulkhead to the intake don't use rigid (or you'll be asking for noise issues), and if you can get a hold of that rigid pond tubing it is good for the final vertical run if not the entire outlet. I have pvc for my Ts, then after the last T I have a barb fitting out of a ball valve with the pond tubing going up.

There's a pic in my gallery if you want to see -- under new tank setup.